The decision to construct a new presbytery for St Mary’s Forane Church, Kidangoor by the Parish Priest, Parishners and the general body is absolutely justified and appears to be one of the important needs of the time. Very recently, within the Christian community, constructing new buildings or developing existing facilities for the church is creating unwanted controversies. The basic reasons for these objective- less discussions are missing information or misinterpretation of the available information, which is likely to do more harm than good.
The news item at Kidangoor Express clearly states that the existing presbytery is 72 years old, which might be the oldest building in Kidangoor after Sri Subramania Swamy Temple. Hope everyone understands the importance of constructing a shelter, which protects the inhabitants from nature’s fury and a place to rest after your tiring day work. Another important factor is the same shelter shouldn’t be hazard for the inhabitants. By considering the building technologies and standard of building materials available in India 72 years before, it is purely Mother Mary’s blessings kept that building standing so long.
Again does any UK Keralite live or own any property so old, most of the houses in Kidangoor and nearby are new, many of them constructed brand new houses after demolishing their existing excellent properties. This is not only the case for people from Kidangoor, but for all Malayalees, thousands of empty bungalows, built using NRI money is a becoming not only a national waste but a burden for local government. There are instances of spending upto 2.4 crores for single bungalows in Kidangoor and off course there are several bungalows more than five crores in nearby areas.
Any church is holy, when regular mass and worships takes place and without a priest, the same is not possible, there are hundreds of examples around us in UK. How many churches are being transformed for other uses and lost their historical importance and values. Safety of the Priest is as important as the church, so the Presbytery, where the priest lives.
A developed country like UK have qualified and experienced health and safety officers regularly inspects old properties for their structural safety and use-worthiness, whereas the undeveloped or developing country like India, cannot afford these inspectors. It’s absolutely down to the users to determine whether their homes are safe or not. Kidangoor St Mary’s church parish members are matured enough to realise this fact, it’s their responsibility to ensure the safety of their parish priest.
One of the many signs of any nation’s development is all these new buildings and suitable transports for their citizen’s convenience. Also I understand, Volunteer donations are expected from any member not compulsory contributions as misinterpreted.
It appears my anonymous friend conveniently ignored the other news item in Kidangoor Express, the high quality charity work by those auto-rickshaw drivers. Please Click Here to read the news again.
By seeing these unconditional charity work, I am proud to be a person from Kidangoor and would like to be associated with those drivers.
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